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rfmcdonaldHuman Rights Watch reports that the Sri Lankan segment of the Tamil diaspora is being shaken down for funds by the Tamil Tigers.
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE or Tamil Tigers) subject Sri Lankan Tamils living in Canada, the United Kingdom and other Western countries to intimidation, extortion and even violence to ensure a steady flow of funds for operations in Sri Lanka and to suppress criticism of human rights abuses, said Human Rights Watch in a new report released today.
The culture of fear is so strong that even Tamils who do not support the Tamil Tigers feel they have no choice but to give money, knowing they are funding political killings and the recruitment of children as soldiers in Sri Lanka.
The 45-page report, "Funding the ‘Final War’- LTTE Intimidation and Extortion in the Tamil Diaspora", details how representatives of the LTTE and pro-LTTE groups use unlawful pressure among Tamil communities in the West to secure financial pledges. People were told that if they did not pay the requested sum, they would not be able to return to Sri Lanka to visit family members. Others were warned that they would be "dealt with" or "taught a lesson." One Toronto business owner said that after he refused to pay more than C$20,000, Tamil Tiger representatives made threats against his wife and children.
"The Tamil Tigers are exporting the terrors of war to Tamils living in the West," said Jo Becker, author of the report. "Many members of the diaspora actively support the Tamil Tigers. But the culture of fear is so strong that even Tamils who don’t feel they have no choice but to give money."
